How To Prevent an App From Using Data on an Android Device

If you’re like most people, you probably want to use your phone as little as possible when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi. And if you’re on a limited data plan, that’s especially important.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to limit which apps can use your data.

In this article, we’ll show you how to block apps from using data on Android.

How To Block Apps Using Data Android

While Android devices are incredibly versatile and allow users to perform various tasks, they can also be a major drain on your data plan. Limiting background data consumption is one way to help reduce your data usage.

Background data refers to the data that is downloaded and used by apps when you’re not actively using them. This includes app updates, email synchronization, and social media notifications.

While some of this data is necessary, much is unnecessary and can be prevented by limiting background data consumption. There are a few ways to do this, including restricting background data for all apps, disabling background data for specific apps, and setting a data usage limit.

Let’s see how each of these methods works.

Restricting Background Data for All Apps

Restricting background data on Android can help to improve your device’s battery life. When you specify background data, your device won’t download updates for apps and won’t sync with accounts or check for new emails unless you’re actively using an app that requires those functions.

Perhaps most importantly, restricting background data helps to keep your cellular data usage under control. If you have a limited data plan, limiting background data can help ensure you don’t go over your monthly allotment.

Here’s how to go about it:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
   
2. Select “Network & Internet” from the settings menu.
   
3. Scroll down and tap “Data usage.”
   
4. Switch to the “Mobile” tab and tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the screen.
5. Select “Restrict background data” from the popup menu.
6. A dialog box will appear asking if you want to restrict background data for all apps. Tap OK.

And that’s it. You’ve just instructed your device not to allow background data consumption by any apps on your device. However, please note that this only works when using mobile data. When you switch to Wi-Fi, apps can consume data in the background without any restrictions.

It’s also important to note that the steps above may change slightly depending on the type of Android device you’re using.

Disabling Background Data Consumption for Specific Apps

While background data can be useful, it can also use up much of your data allowance. If you’re on a limited data plan or trying to save money, you may want to disable background data for specific apps. To do this, you’ll need to access the settings for each app and turn off the “Allow background data” option.

Here are the detailed steps on how to do this:

1. Visit the Settings app on your device.
   
2. Tap “Network & Internet” on the settings menu.
   
3. Scroll down and tap “Data usage.”
   
4. Switch to the “Mobile” tab. At the top of the page, you should see the amount of data your apps have consumed over time, usually a month. Also displayed is a list of all the apps that have used your data during that timeframe. The app that uses the most data is first on the list.
   
5. Scroll down and tap the app of interest.
   
6. Toggle off “Background Data.”
   

This will prevent the selected apps from syncing in the background, but they’ll still work as normal when you open them. Some apps may not function properly if background data is disabled, so you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of disabling this feature before making any changes.

Setting a Data Warning and Usage Limit

Setting a data warning and usage limit on your Android device can help you avoid costly overage fees. When you reach the data warning limit, your device will notify you that you are close to exceeding your data plan.

If you continue to use data after reaching the limit, your device will automatically restrict your data usage. This means that you may not be able to access certain features, such as streaming video or music, until your next billing cycle.

Here’s how to set a data warning and usage limit:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
   
2. Select “Connections” or “Network & Internet” from the settings menu.
   
3. Scroll down to “Data Usage” and tap on “Billing cycle and data warning.”
   
4. Check “Set data limit.”
   
5. Type in a value for your data usage limit, such as 5GB.
   
6. Check “Set data warning.”
   
7. Type in a value for your data warning limit, such as 4GB.
   

Generally, your data warning limit should be less than your data limit. For instance, if your monthly data limit is 5GB, you might set the data warning limit at 4GB. This way, you’ll still have some wiggle room before you reach your full data limit.

Keep in mind, however, that if you’re consistently using close to or exceeding your data limit, it might be time to consider increasing your data allowance.

Using a Third-Party Tool to Restrict Data Usage on Android

NetGuard provides a simple way to block internet access for specific apps on your Android device. It can be helpful if you want to prevent data usage on apps that use a lot of data or if you want to restrict background data usage in general.

To use NetGuard, you’ll need to install the app and grant it access to your device’s root directory. Once you’ve done this, you can specify which apps you want to block internet access for. You can whitelist apps that are allowed to use data and set limits on how much data each app can use. NetGuard will then create a firewall rule to prevent the app from accessing the internet.

You can also specify which types of connections you want to block, such as Wi-Fi or mobile data.

In addition, NetGuard provides detailed logs of your data usage, so you can see which apps are using the most data.

If you’re looking for an option to restrict data usage on your Android device, NetGuard is worth checking out.

Keep an Eye on Your Apps

Apps can be a significant data hog, especially if they aren’t managed correctly. Luckily, Android allows users to restrict background data or at least set usage limits.

However, it’s important to remember that some apps will always require more data than others. In fact, some may not function at all when under a data restriction. That includes browsers, email clients, and weather apps. To ensure that the functioning of such apps isn’t compromised, you might want to avoid a blanket restriction that applies to all apps and instead set conditions for specific apps.

Do you have any tips on how to save data while using Android apps? Let us know in the comments below!